Smooth transfer of leadership needed: Gus Dur

JAKARTA (JP): Moslem scholar Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, is an astute social and political observer, whose views very often shape public opinion.

He has a strong opinion as to what major problems Indonesia will face in the next five years, naming a smooth transfer of leadership as paramount on the agenda. He examines these issues in the following question and answer.

Question: What do you think is the biggest test for Indonesia in the next few years?

Answer: It depends on the specific fields we are dealing with.

In politics, for instance, the most important agenda is for Indonesia to see a transfer of power from a government whose state leadership style is a personalized one, to one which is wholly institutionalized.

The main question is how Indonesia can smoothly change the personalized leadership (style) into something that (relies more) on an institution.

In relation to ideology, the main challenge is how to solidify our ideological life so that it remains securely anchored on nationalism. This is because there are now threats toward our ideology from "narrow-minded" groups seeking to dominate. These groups could be religious in nature, or ethnic groups, which play on the (conflict) between indigenous and nonindigenous people.

The challenge is how we can balance the needs of those groups, whose dimensions are very narrow, with the need to widen the horizon and scope of our life as a nation.

Q: In other fields?

A: In economics, the main agenda for Indonesia is how to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor. And how to maintain a more just economic structure.

In other words, if we are committed to the free market, then we should not let this develop into injustice. In fact, commitment toward the free market should be developed so that its results support social justice.

Take for instance the European countries, Japan and the United States, where economic liberalization and stiff competition serve to strengthen people's empowerment.

Q: What about the cultural field?

A: I think that the most important agenda is how to develop values and outlooks that are able to neutralize the negative impact of the commercialization of our culture.

Take entertainment, for instance. It is so commercial in nature that the other impulses of society do not have any room at all.

This means that we need the ability to balance the commercial dimension (of our culture) with other dimensions, including humanity, wisdom and spirituality.

Q: And the field of religion?

A: The greatest challenge that Indonesia will face in the next few years is how to give religion a cosmopolitan face. There should not be any exclusive position toward other religions and beliefs, which have their own spirituality .

There should not be any escalation of exclusivism. Instead, there should be a willingness to learn from each other. There should be a process of searching for a greater coexistence between different religious and spiritual groups.

This is important for us to reach a healthy, constitutional life. According to the 1945 Constitution, everybody is equal before the law. How do we make this a reality? How do we enforce the law and not let intimidation and use of force prevail?

Take for instance the (recent) case of (a group of Moslem leaders' outrage over some articles published by) Kompas. Our test is how to strengthen the position of those seeking to express their opinion, so that they will not be intimidated by the snarling of exclusivists. I regret the case because people are now hesitant about voicing their opinion freely.

Q: What is our agenda in the social sphere?

A: What's most important is how to curb the emergence of "narrow loyalty", such as loyalty toward one's region only. This (narrow loyalty) sometimes (annuls) a sense of belonging that should exist among all citizens.

Q: What do you think is the first step that Indonesians should take in the wake of such big problems?

A: We should first be honest with ourselves and reflect. And take steps that are in accordance with what it is we obtain in our reflection. This applies to everybody, those leading the nation and the community in general. (swe)